Inequality in Chile

Abstract

Every time the National Socioeconomic Characterization Survey (Casen survey) releases its results, the debate over the levels of, and changes in, poverty and income inequality in Chile is reopened. There is always great anticipation about establishing whether or not these indicators have fallen, so much so that on some occasions the public debate over these results has turned acrimonious, with blame traded from one political sector to another. During the previous administration, there were even accusations of statistical manipulation because the methodology for adjusting incomes had been changed.